--- title: Things To Do On Your Own --- [ Micro Credentials ](https://www.cisabroad.com/academics/micro-credentials/?hsLang=en) Table of Contents: [How to use this guide](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/how-to-use-this-guide?hsLang=en) Before You Go [Tips for Booking your flight](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/how-to-submit-your-flight-information?hsLang=en#jump) [Health & Wellness Check](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/health-wellness-check?hsLang=en#jump) [Passports, Visas, and Immigration Rules](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/requirements?hsLang=en#jump) [Packing](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/packing-list?hsLang=en#jump) [Cellphones](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/communications?hsLang=en#jump) [Money](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/money?hsLang=en#jump) [Budget Predictor](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/budget-predictor?hsLang=en#jump) [Apply for a Micro-Credential ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/apply-to-a-micro-credential?hsLang=en#jump) Program Information [Introduction](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com?hsLang=en#jump) [Staff](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/staff?hsLang=en#jump) [Communication with Staff](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/communication-with-staff?hsLang=en#jump) [Academics](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/universities?hsLang=en#jump) [Housing](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/housing?hsLang=en#jump) [CIS Abroad Activities](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/activities?hsLang=en#jump) [Arrivals Instructions ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/arrival?hsLang=en#jump) [Evaluations](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/evaluations?hsLang=en#jump) Country / City Information [Cultural Differences](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/cultural-differences?hsLang=en#jump) [Working Culture ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/working-culture?hsLang=en#jump) [Diversity Abroad](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/diversity-abroad?hsLang=en#jump) [How to Move Around](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/moving-around?hsLang=en#jump) [Things to Do on Your Own](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/explore?hsLang=en#jump) [Sustainability Tips](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/sustainability?hsLang=en#jump) [Mailing Instructions](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/mailing-instructions?hsLang=en#jump) [Shopping](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/shopping?hsLang=en#jump) Emergencies, Health & Safety [In Case of Emergency](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/emergency-health-safety?hsLang=en#jump) [Culture Shock](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/cultural-shock?hsLang=en#jump) [Health Insurance](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/health-insurance?hsLang=en#jump) [Health Onsite](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/health?hsLang=en#jump) [Safety Onsite](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/safety?hsLang=en#jump) [Code of Conduct](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/code-of-conduct?hsLang=en#jump) [Independent Travel Form](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/independent-travel-form?hsLang=en#jump) [Voting From Abroad ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/voting-from-abroad?hsLang=en) Student Hub Links: [ Micro Credentials ](https://www.cisabroad.com/academics/micro-credentials/?hsLang=en) # Welcome to Costa Rica [ How to use this guide ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/how-to-use-this-guide?hsLang=en#jump) Before You Go [ Tips for Booking your flight ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/how-to-submit-your-flight-information?hsLang=en#jump) [ Health & Wellness Check ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/health-wellness-check?hsLang=en#jump) [ Passports, Visas, and Immigration Rules ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/requirements?hsLang=en#jump) [ Packing ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/packing-list?hsLang=en#jump) [ Cellphones ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/communications?hsLang=en#jump) [ Money ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/money?hsLang=en#jump) [ Budget Predictor ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/budget-predictor?hsLang=en#jump) [ Apply for a Micro-Credential ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/apply-to-a-micro-credential?hsLang=en#jump) Program Information [ Introduction ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com?hsLang=en#jump) [ Staff ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/staff?hsLang=en#jump) [ Communication with Staff ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/communication-with-staff?hsLang=en#jump) [ Academics ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/universities?hsLang=en#jump) [ Housing ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/housing?hsLang=en#jump) [ CIS Abroad Activities ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/activities?hsLang=en#jump) [ Arrivals Instructions ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/arrival?hsLang=en#jump) [ Evaluations ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/evaluations?hsLang=en#jump) Country / City Information [ Cultural Differences ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/cultural-differences?hsLang=en#jump) [ Working Culture ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/working-culture?hsLang=en#jump) [ Diversity Abroad ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/diversity-abroad?hsLang=en#jump) [ How to Move Around ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/moving-around?hsLang=en#jump) [ Things to Do on Your Own ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/explore?hsLang=en#jump) [ Sustainability Tips ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/sustainability?hsLang=en#jump) [ Mailing Instructions ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/mailing-instructions?hsLang=en#jump) [ Shopping ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/shopping?hsLang=en#jump) Emergencies, Health & Safety [ In Case of Emergency ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/emergency-health-safety?hsLang=en#jump) [ Culture Shock ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/cultural-shock?hsLang=en#jump) [ Health Insurance ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/health-insurance?hsLang=en#jump) [ Health Onsite ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/health?hsLang=en#jump) [ Safety Onsite ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/safety?hsLang=en#jump) [ Code of Conduct ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/code-of-conduct?hsLang=en#jump) [ Independent Travel Form ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/independent-travel-form?hsLang=en#jump) [ Voting From Abroad ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/voting-from-abroad?hsLang=en#jump) # Things To Do On Your Own ## Bucket List Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey filled with unforgettable experiences and cultural exploration? Look no further than our Bucket List! Discover a treasure trove of exciting ideas for cultural events in San José, and get inspired with travel suggestions throughout Costa Rica. We strongly recommend taking guided tours or asking CIS staff about the best way to plan a safe tour! Share your incredible moments through photos and be featured on our social media! 1. Discover the wildlife in 28 national parks, dozens of other refuges, reserves, and conservation regions 2. Visit a chocolate and a coffee plantation. 3. Learn to surf and paddle-board in Tamarindo.  4. Hike to one of the many waterfalls in Costa Rica. 5. Go horseback riding.  6. Watch the sunrise in Puerto Viejo and the sunset in Tamarindo. 7. Take tropical dancing lessons. 8. Get some ops ice cream. 9. Swim in the turquoise waters of Curubande. 10. Visit Barrio Escalante. 11. Take a tour of the National Theater, or check out a concert or show. 12. Visit La Feria Verde de Aranjuez. 13. Have lunch at a traditional soda. 14. Make your way to Parque La Sabana and see the Museo de Arte Costarricense. 15. Visit the Central Market and find the Helados de Sorbetera at La Soda de Lolo (Closed on Sundays). 16. Check out the museums: National, Gold, Jade or Modern Art. 17. Catch a movie at the VIP Movie Theater. 18. Go roller skating at Patines El Music. 19. Ask your host mom to teach you her favorite Costa Rican recipe. 20. Bakeries and afternoon coffee: A very Costa Rican tradition, if you go to someone's house during the afternoon, you bring bread or pastries, they will provide the coffee! Stop at a bakery and load up on goodies to bring back to your homestay! 21. Find a market and try fruits like cas, guanabana, tamarindo, guayaba, mamon, granadilla, mora, mango, maracuya, pipa. ## Must Try Food - Tortilla aliñada or tortilla con queso - Frijoles molidos con patacones - Plantain and yuca chips - Sweet plantain - Ceviche - Tamales - Olla de carne and sopa negra - Empanadas (pollo, queso, guayaba, piña, frijol) - Gallitos de queso, papa, chorizo, salchichon - Gallo pinto - Chifrijo - Casado - Rice and beans and Caribbean chicken - Rondon soup ## **Day Trips ** - Irazu Volcano + La Basilica de Los Angeles, Cartago - Café Britt Coffee Tour - Hiking La Chimba - ZooAve - Lancaster Gardens, Cartago ## **Weekend Trips** - Surfing in Tamarindo, Guanacaste - Hiking Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos, Puntarenas. - Puerto Viejo, Limon. Snorkeling at Cahuita National Park. - Biking down the coast - Hiking and ziplining at Monteverde Cloud Forest - Baldi Hot Springs and La Fortuna Waterfall, La Fortuna, Alajuel - Doka Coffee Plantation + La Paz Waterfall Gardens - Dominical/Bahia Ballena Whale Watching - Bioluminescence tour, Curu Reserve - Jaco, Samara or Montezuma Beach, Puntarenas **Remember to check what's included in your term before planning your independent trips!  ** [Previous Chapter How to Move Around ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/moving-around?hsLang=en#jump) [Next Chapter Sustainability Tips ](https://go.costarica.cisabroad.com/sustainability?hsLang=en#jump) We’re Here to help: +1-877-617-9090 Copyright © 2023 Center for International Studies | Legal